Concealed Carry Corner: Best Ways To Train For Carrying

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we looked at how to set up a carry-specific bag. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I want to look at some of the best ways to train for carrying a concealed handgun. Different people have preferences where one style works better for them but this will be more of a general overview on how to train under any budget. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best ways to train for carrying.

Training at The Range 

The best way to train consistently as a cohesive approach is to head to the range, put rounds down range, and get those live fire reps in. Whether using steel targets, Cardboard cutouts, or simple paper targets off the internet, these can all be used to polish skills while drawing from concealment. I will usually start out with something like a simple Mozambique drill, the modified Bill Drill where you draw and fire 15 rounds in different order. These are simple drills that take a cardboard target and that’s about it. Other drills like the Baer Standard Drill, FAST Drill, and the dot torture drills are always great options as well that force you to concentrate to make accurate shots.

The concealed carry dynamic of drawing from concealment adds another level of complexity that otherwise isn’t there when you just shoot regularly at the range. Practicing drills with your carry gun not only gives you reps on a gun you don’t normally shoot at the range but also allows you to practice drawing from concealment. Forcing yourself to slow down and learn how to clear a cover garment, draw from your carry position, and present the pistol can teach you more in a couple of hours than taking a class or reading day after day online. Not all public ranges will allow drawing and firing from concealment so it can be tricky to find a place to practice.

This list is the best way to train for carrying concealed but not the easiest way to train. Putting everything together and drawing from concealment, presenting your firearm, and firing live rounds will do more for you than anything else. Not everyone can find a space where they can practice everything together either due to range rules, availability of space, or financial restrictions. Shooting at the range is always the best way to practice everything together but what is great for people who cannot afford to go out and put boxes of ammo through their guns?

Dry Firing

Dry firing is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to practice your draw stroke and other aspects of shooting like sight alignment and trigger control. These things can be done 100% without firing any live ammo making it extremely cost-effective for people on a budget. The only thing you really should pick up if you start dry firing a lot is snap caps or dummy rounds so you can practice reloads and make it a full training experience practicing the fundamentals without burning through boxes of ammo. The vast majority of skills you need to practice for carrying a concealed handgun can be done at home while dry firing.

Setting up two small paper or cardboard targets will allow you to work on target transition and presenting the firearm on different targets from different positions. It may sound silly, but putting in just 15-20 minutes of practice a week can teach you how to clear cover garments, draw faster, and present the pistol consistently over time. Dry firing doesn’t even have to be a specific time set aside each week. I know plenty of people who will stand up and dry fire during commercial breaks of their nightly shows just to pass the time. Once your dummy rounds are purchased, dry firing will cost you almost nothing and will not only allow you to maintain your skills but also advance them with enough practice. If you haven’t tried dry firing at home be sure to give it a shot and see how it goes.

Training Aids

For some, it’s not about financial restraints but rather time restraints. Some people can’t make it to the range with their busy schedules and need training aids to help them train without actually going to the range. The amount of electronic and training aids is becoming a real dynamic part of the gun market. Companies like Mantis are creating training systems that use a laser and target system that can connect to your phone giving you real-time information about your shots and showing exactly what is happening when you practice.

I’ve tried these systems and they really do give you an incredible amount of feedback and show you exactly what you need to work on and where your muzzle is pointed at when you pull the trigger. If you will use these training aids regularly and create a schedule to put the work in 2-3 times a week, the price of the training tool is certainly worth it. Personally, I would rather put that money towards ammo to live fire train with but everyone is different, and if you find yourself struggling to make time to hit the range, these training aids can really bring your dry fire practice to the next level. There are plenty of options out there at all different price points but Mantis is by far one of the most well-known options. No matter what system you decide on, having a training aid can be a huge help with progressing without having time to hit the range.

Overall Thoughts

People always look for the fastest way to become more proficient when it comes to carrying a concealed firearm. The honest truth of the matter is that practice makes perfect and putting the work into yourself and building your skills whether it’s on the range doing live fire exercises or at home dry firing. Training aids can certainly be beneficial if you use them enough and don’t buy a training tool only to have it sit and not practice. Putting the work into your skills and becoming more proficient is the big goal that should be done in time.

Let me know what you guys think is the best way to practice those carry skills. Is there something I’m missing? Let me know in the comment section below. If you have questions about carrying concealed or firearms in general, feel free to send me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and I will see you next week for another edition of Concealed Carry Corner.